Baker Institute conference to explore evolving roles of women in the Middle East April 24

HOUSTON – (April 21, 2014) – Leading international scholars will discuss the evolving roles of Arab women in their countries’ political, economic and private spheres at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy April 24.

This first international conference of the Baker Institute’s Women and Human Rights in the Middle East Program is open to the public.

Who: Leading international scholars on the Middle East, international affairs and gender.

Valentine Moghadam, professor of sociology and director of the International Affairs Program at Northeastern University, will give the keynote address.

Marwa Shalaby, director of the Baker Institute’s Women and Human Rights in the Middle East Program, will give welcoming remarks.

What: “International Conference on Gender and Human Rights in the Middle East: The Evolving Roles of Women in the Arab World” event.

When: Thursday, April 24, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Where: Rice University, Baker Hall, Doré Commons, 6100 Main St.

The Middle East and North Africa region is undergoing a major transformation not only at the political level but also — and most importantly — on societal and ideological levels, according to event organizers. At this conference, a cross-disciplinary dialogue, guided by leading scholars and policymakers in the field, will investigate topics ranging from citizenship to domestic violence across the region. The conference will provide practical and specific policy prescriptions guided by a balanced, multifaceted perspectives on gender relations in the Middle East, organizers said.

Members of the news media who want to attend should RSVP to Jeff Falk, associate director of national media relations at Rice, at jfalk@rice.edu or 713-348-6775.

Founded in 1993, Rice University’s Baker Institute ranks among the top 15 university-affiliated think tanks in the world. As a premier nonpartisan think tank, the institute conducts research on domestic and foreign policy issues with the goal of bridging the gap between the theory and practice of public policy. The institute’s strong track record of achievement reflects the work of its endowed fellows, Rice University faculty scholars and staff, coupled with its outreach to the Rice student body through fellow-taught classes — including a public policy course — and student leadership and internship programs. Learn more about the institute at www.bakerinstitute.org or on the institute’s blog, http://blogs.chron.com/bakerblog.